OAKLAND (CBS/AP) — A sewage problem at the Coliseum forced the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners to use the same locker room after Sunday's game.

During Oakland's 10-2 victory, pipes in the stadium's lower levels burst, causing a stench and puddles of water in the clubhouses used by both teams and the referees.

The A's and Mariners moved to a higher floor and cleaned up after the game in the locker room used by the Oakland Raiders during NFL games.

Coliseum officials said the six-day homestand, which drew 171,756 fans, overwhelmed the 47-year-old stadium's plumbing system.

“Make sure everyone knows about this sewage thing,” Oakland starter AJ Griffin said. “We need a new stadium.”

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that leaking pipes and clogged drains are common, even on days when the Coliseum is empty. The playing field is 22 feet below sea level and the elevation of the clubhouse is 3 feet below sea level.

A's team president Michael Crowley told the Chronicle: “It's clear, right? This is not the first time something like this has happened.”

Several Mariners left without showering. Towels were used to prevent wastewater from entering the general players' changing area.

There was about a foot of liquid in Seattle manager Eric Wedge's office, forcing him to hold his postgame press conference in the hallway.

The A's, who begin a road trip to Texas on Monday night, will likely have new carpet when they return. The extent of the damage is not yet known.

There were visible wet spots around every drain on the ground floor, but the main damage was to the changing rooms and storage areas.

Coliseum sewage problem forces A's and Mariners into same locker room

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KCBS, SF Chronicle and KPIX Insider Phil Matier said there were more than 37,000 fans in the stadium for Sunday's Father's Day game.

“The A's are enjoying a major sellout stadium revival, tickets are sold out, the team is hot and owner Lew Wolff would like a new stadium, the problem is he would like it in San Jose and the Giants aren't above that happy.” “So for the last three years there's been a bit of a stalemate about where to build a new stadium,” Matier said.

Matier noted how much “sports construction” is currently taking place in the Bay Area, noting that the 49ers are building a billion-dollar stadium in Santa Clara, right next door to the A's' destination. The Warriors plan to build a $1 billion arena on the San Francisco waterfront.

“This takes advantage of a lot of the loose money that people have for sporting events, corporate sponsorships, skyboxes and all of these things that help fund stadiums,” he said.

“The big question is whether you can afford to build a completely new house instead of calling a plumber. I think in the short term they will have to call a plumber.”

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Downtown San Francisco farmers market is moving

The twice-weekly farmers market in downtown San Francisco that’s been held for decades is moving to the Fulton Plaza. But shoppers in this food desert area are not thrilled.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – On September 3, the “Heart of the City” Farmers’ Market will be relocated from the United Nations Plaza to San Francisco’s Fulton Plaza, an area just across the street from the UN Plaza. 

But many members of the community who shop and live in the area are not happy about the city’s abrupt decision that many see as inconvenient for the farmers and customers. 

City officials, including the Recreation and Parks Department, are looking to change the space to discourage drug dealing and drug use in the plaza. 

The pilot program will replace the vast walkway in the plaza and install a skate park, fitness equipment, ping pong tables and other family-friendly installments. 

Those who depend on the bi-weekly farmers market are concerned about the forthcoming changes. 

The neighborhood has been considered an urban food desert for decades. 

It sits in the shadow of City Hall and just below the Tenderloin. More than 20,000 people on Sundays and Wednesdays shop for seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables and staples that are driven in by more than 50 California farmers. Many who travel for hours to sell their fruits and vegetables. 

Carol Jean Wisnieski has lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years and said, “I’m just in tears about it. I’ve been shopping here since even before it was certified as a farmers’ market. I’m devastated by this, and I think the public has not had time to respond to what’s going on!”

Steve Pullium serves as the executive director, of the ‘Heart of the City Farmers’ Market’ 

He’s worked on-site for 14 years and has been a longtime customer prior to being hired. 

He shares that the move will be hard on many customers, but also on the farmers. 

He worries about those who come from far away and endure long days. They often need their trucks near their stalls for storage, to keep inventory cool and even to get rest after being on their feet all day.

“The biggest issue for the farmers is the space being smaller, and they won’t have access to their trucks,” said Pullium.

“We still don’t have water even though we’re working on that,” said Pullium. “The lighting is not as good over there, so when they come in at 4:30 in the morning we want to make sure that we have sufficient lighting for them to set up.” 

As for the customers, Pullium shared some of the most vulnerable shoppers will be impacted with the move, as it’s farther from the BART station at Civic Center. 

“A lot of people will say, ‘It’s just right across the street.’ But for customers with disabilities, there’s a BART elevator down on the far end of this plaza. They’ll have to go even further,” he said. “We have several blind customers that come through that are afraid to cross that street. We’ll take them around to all the vendors and help them shop, but now we have to maybe pick them up over here and walk them across the street. I’m not sure how we’re going to manage to do that, but for some customers, it will. It will certainly have an impact.”

San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department on Monday said the new space will not be a downsize from the current location and that the new spot will have enough room to accommodate the vendors. 

“The new site will include things like dedicated vendor and staff parking and increased parking enforcement to ensure spots are not taken by non-vendors,” said Daniel Montes, SF Rec. and Park communications manager. “At the height of the season, the Heart of the City Farmers Market has 70 stalls, and its new location across the street can accommodate all of them.”

But residents aren’t sold on the change. Tenderloin resident David Elliott Lewis says the neighborhood doesn’t need ping pong as much as they need fresh fruits and vegetables. 

As co-chair of the Tenderloin People’s Congress, he worries about the farmers, the neighbors and the people that rely on this community for fresh produce. 

“The city has known we’ve been a food desert for a long time and doing this reinforced relocation and downsizing of the market is going to just perpetuate the food desert,” he said. “We’re going to lose vendors here; we’re going to lose quality produce. Some of these vendors have been here 40 years.”

Lewis handed out flyers announcing an organized rally and march from Civic Center plaza at 12:15 pm on Wednesday, Aug. 30. 

The group will march to City Hall where they’ll rally at 1 p.m. 

Their hope is to keep the farmers’ market right where it’s been for over 40 years. 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect new statements from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Alice Wertz can be reached at Alice.Wertz@Fox.com or on Twitter/X @AlicesTake Instagram: @WayIseesIt

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BURGESS Owens made the extraordinary journey from winning the Super Bowl to working as a chimney sweep before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

During a 10-year NFL career, Owens starred as a safety for the New York Jets before being part of the 1980 Oakland Raiders’ Super Bowl-winning team.

Burgess Owens (left) won a Super Bowl with the Oakland RaidersCredit: Getty
Owens has since been elected to the House of RepresentativesCredit: Getty
Owens says life in the NFL prepared him for politicsCredit: Getty

But Owens and his family lost everything in the decade after his NFL glory when his electronic business failed, and he was forced to declare bankruptcy.

The University of Miami graduate moved his family of six into a one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn and took a job as a chimney sweep during the day and a security guard at night.

“That was a very humbling moment,” Owens told the Salt Lake Tribune. 

“It was also a very key moment in my life that at the end of the long day, standing in the basement apartment, looking outside and just thinking that I knew this was not the way it was going to end because I believe in the American promise of second chances.”

Owens got back on his feet after taking a sales job with the Utah-based computer software company WordPerfect in Philadelphia.

Having converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints towards the end of his NFL career, Owens soon moved his family to Utah.

In 2020, the 68-year-old Owens became the Republican nominee in the 4th Congressional District of Utah and defeated Democratic incumbent Ben McAdams in November.

“As someone who came out of the NFL and lost everything and was a chimney sweep for a few months, a security guard at night…if I can do it, you can do it,” Owens said after his win.

Most read in American Football

A staunch defender of Donald Trump, Owens campaigned on upholding conservative values, opposing abortion, protecting Second Amendment rights, and securing the borders.

A Fox News contributor, Owens has also opposed NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police brutality.

In November 2022, Owens won re-election to a second term.

Owens says his time in the NFL prepared him for a career in politics.

“All of the time I played in the NFL, we didn’t make a lot of money then but boy did we understand teamwork and culture,” he told Sports Illustrated. 

“After seven years in the league, I got to the Raiders. It was a locker room similar to our country. A lot of people getting second chances.

“It was a motley crew. It taught me a lot about America, about people.”

The post I performed within the NFL and received Tremendous Bowl – our locker room helped me put together for post-retirement profession appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The San Francisco 49ers made multiple moves ahead of their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon.

Obviously, the focal point has been Nick Bosa’s record-breaking contract extension. He’s now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL after inking a five-year, $175 million deal.

However, the 49ers also restructured multiple contracts to create a ton of cap room. They now head into the first Sunday of the NFL regular season with north of $44 million in cap room, via Spotrac.com.

San Francisco restructured the contracts of offensive tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle and defensive lineman Arik Armstead. The three moves saved a combined $35 million against the 2023 NFL salary cap.

Teams generally like to go into the regular season with between $6-7 million to have some flexibility. That’s the case with more than half of the NFL. But outside of the Cleveland Browns ($36.78 million) no other team has more than $15.5 million in cap room.

MORE FROM FORBESNick Bosa Contract Extension: What It Means For The San Francisco 49ersBy Vincent Frank

In short, something could very well be on the horizon as it relates to the 49ers. I’ll look at what’s next with all of this cap room below.

49ers Cap Room Could Roll Over To 2024

As of right now, San Francisco is projected to have less than $5 million in cap room for the 2024 offseason.

The 49ers could push back proverbial salary cap hell by doing more restructures at that point. Doing this again with Williams, Armstead, Kittle, Warner, Samuel and Hargrave would save an estimated $69 million. But pushing larger cap hits to later years is not a recipe for long-term success. That’s true even with the NFL’s record revenue and television contracts leading to larger salary cap totals moving forward. Rolling this $44 million into next offseason is a legitimate option.

How Nick Bosa’s Contract Plays A Role

the San Francisco 49ers could tell us a story. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Over the Cap has details of Bosa’s contract and year-by-year cap hits. His cap hits are $11.01 million, $14.67 million and $20.52 million over the next three seasons, respectively.

San Francisco stayed true to its MO of backloading large cap hits when signing players to contract extensions. Bosa’s cap hits in the final three years of his contract comes in at $137 million. Let that sink in for a second.

By opting not to frontload Bosa’s contract while creating a ton of cap room, something seems to be up behind the scenes in Santa Clara.

Brandon Aiyuk Contract Extension

Aiyuk contract extension. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

The former first-round pick and 1,000-yard receiver is already set to count a whopping $14.1 million against the cap next season, the final year of his rookie contract.

By making Aiyuk one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers early in the 2023 season, the 49ers could even lower his 2024 cap figure. The belief is that Aiyuk will earn a new deal averaging out to the 10 highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. In this scenario, he’s looking at roughly $20 million annually. San Francisco could backload the extension to later years as a way to even out its financial planning down the road.

San Francisco 49ers Pull Off Blockbuster Trade

This is the least likely scenario. The 49ers seemingly are not in position to take on yet another huge long-term contract. Some fans have been clamoring for Carolina Panthers star edge rusher Brian Burns. In a vacuum, it makes sense. But he’s said to be demanding between $26-28 million annually.

It’s clear that the 49ers are not in position to hand a player of Burns’ ilk that type of deal given their roster construction. Even if they were, there are no signs that Carolina has Burns on the trade block.

If the 49ers do pull off an in-season deal, it will likely come closer to the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline. It would be similar to when they acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers last October.

trade for Mike Evans. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Unlike the McCaffrey acquisition, the target would likely be a player on a short-term deal. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans comes to mind. He is set to play out his final season with Tampa Bay. The record-breaking wide receiver did not come to terms on an extension ahead of Week 1 and has made it clear he’ll be playing for another team next season.

We’ll see other names pop up in NFL trade rumors in the coming weeks as teams realize they are not playoff contenders. With their excess of cap room, the 49ers could very well be big-time players.

It also doesn’t hurt that San Francisco is projected to have 12 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft after the trade of Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys. That includes multiple picks in the third round (three), fourth round (two), fifth round (two) and sixth round (two). In short, the 49ers have an ability to add to their Super Bowl-contending roster without exhausting early round selections should the opportunity present itself.

Either way, the 49ers’ decision to clear a ton of cap room ahead of their regular-season opener was done with something in mind. What that might be remains to be seen.

Follow me on Twitter. 

Managing editor at Sportsnaut, an affiliate of the Publisher Desk. Heard on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio. 

Formerly of Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus and Fox Sports.

The Bay to Vegas!!!

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A powder room may be small in size, but that does not mean it cannot make a mighty impact with its design. 

Typically containing a toilet and a sink, and located on the ground floor of the home, a powder room is the perfect place to go all out with a stand-out, creative design that you may not have been brave enough to try in some of the other larger rooms in your home. 

With some help from a collection of interior designers, we’re here to show you how you can transform a simple powder room into a luxurious, impactful and utterly unique space – who says bathrooms should ever be boring?

How to create an expensive-looking powder room

From stunning sanitaryware to creating a layer of luxury through thoughtful finishing touches, ensure to make the most out of your small bathroom with our inspiring design ideas and expert advice.

1. Use an elegant mix of materials

(Image credit: Megan Evan Interiors)

Enriching a powder room with an elegant mix of materials will create a design that appears more visually appealing, stimulating and of course, wonderfully inviting.

‘Layered details are the key to making your powder room look expensive,’ says interior designer, Kelly Stone. ‘Start with interesting flooring, and then layer on different textures patterns, materials and lighting. Add dimension to the base of the room by incorporating traditional wainscoting or board and batten. Above you can splash your personality atop with unique wallpaper – and don’t be afraid to be bold! A powder room is your opportunity to step outside of your comfort level and stand out from the rest of your home by making it memorable.’

Brooke Spreckman, founder and principal designer at Design Hutch also suggests, ‘finishing the wall with as many materials that feel beautiful to the touch, have texture, and provide a nice color story for what they may experience in a lesser amount through the home, are a good way to look at designing a powder bathroom. I always tell my clients that you will want to feel fully ‘designed’ in certain areas, so covering all of the walls will make the entire room feel completely finished.’

Kelly Stone

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Interior Designer & founder of Kelly Stone Interiors

Interior designer Kelly Stone designs homes and businesses in the Las Vegas area and occasionally around the country. Recently named one of Las Vegas’ Top 15 Interior Designers by Vegas Entrepreneur Magazine, and a new star of HGTV’s Flip the Strip, Kelly’s designs have also been featured by West Elm, Lulu & Georgia, and more.

Brooke Spreckman

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Interior Designer & Founder of Design Hutch Interior Design

Principal and Owner of Design Hutch Interior Design, Brooke Spreckman has been practicing Interior Design since 2013 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and beyond; and has a diverse background in residential and commercial design.

2. Create a beautiful color scheme

(Image credit: Gray Walker Interiors)

A small space such as a powder room provides the perfect opportunity to be creative with bathroom color ideas.

When many of us approach a small room design, we are usually drawn to lighter and brighter room color ideas. Of course, if simple neutrals are more your thing, that is completely fine, but do not be afraid to lean into the dark side and embrace more dramatic, cocooning shades – especially for modern powder room ideas, as these more impactful, richer color palettes can work wonders in making a powder room look and feel more elegant, expensive and individual. 

We explore classic mistakes made with powder room color schemes in our dedicated piece on powder room design mistakes to avoid.

As interior designer Artem Kropovinsky explains, ‘colors have the power to transform a room from bland to grand. Darker hues, such as navy or charcoal, when contrasted with shiny brass or gold fixtures, can bring in an unexpected dash of luxury. For those favoring a more classic touch, sticking to more neutral room ideas with a mix of whites, creams, and beiges can also create a timeless elegance.’

Interior Stone Kelly Stone also advises, ‘when sticking with lighter or neutral room palettes, it’s even more important to incorporate additional layers, textures and patterns into the powder room. With moodier color schemes, sticking with rich shades and bold patterns is going to set a lovely luxe tone.’

Artem Kropovinsky

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Interior designer and founder, Arsight

Founder of NYC-based interior design firm, Arsight, Artem Kropovinsky has a decade of extensive global design experience, connecting a cohesive, collaborative team of passionate professionals, who work on interior projects in the U.S. and worldwide. 

3. Incorporate plenty of layered lighting

(Image credit: Megan Evans Interiors)

Small bathroom lighting ideas should always focus on a smart blend of the stylish and the practical.

Sophisticated wall lights and pretty pendants can provide functional lighting as well as enhance a bathroom design with beautiful decoration – in a small space such as a powder room, multi-functional design is always key.

In this bathroom, designed by Megan Evans Interiors, a pair of eye-catching wall lights perfectly frame the large mirror, and elevate the powder room design with a sense of subtle grandeur and ornamental design.

4. Prioritize your plumbing fixtures

(Image credit: Barlow & Barlow)

When designing a luxurious powder room, make your plumbing fixtures into a feature. Unlike a standard bathroom, a powder bathroom really has one place to shine in regards to plumbing,’ says interior designer, Victoria Holly.

‘A gorgeous wall-mount faucet, for example, can act like a work of art. We also love incorporating a floating all-marble vanity with a custom marble sink fabricated out of the sample material. You can really see the attention to detail and sophistication.’ 

Your toilet and sink are going to take up the most space in your powder room, and, let’s face it, are the central focus of the space, so in order to make the room look expensive, it’s worth choosing beautiful (as well as practical) plumbing fixtures and powder room vanity ideas that can act as elegant design features within the space.

Victoria Holly

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Interior Designer & Founder of Victoria Holly Interiors

Victoria Holly Interiors is led by experienced designer Victoria Holly, who boasts an impressive reputation in the field of interior design. With over a decade of experience, Victoria Holly is known for her artistic skill, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional talent for curation.

5. Dress the space in wonderful wallpaper

(Image credit: Knight Varga Interiors )

‘Wallcoverings that pack a punch – whether in texture or bold pattern – are perfect for a small dose space like a powder room. We love doing chinoiserie or block printed papers in these rooms because they won’t seem as busy in such a small space’ advises interior designer, Ariel Okin.

There is no better place to embrace bathroom wallpaper ideas than in a petite powder room. As these spaces are often so small, a powder room can be a great place to start experimenting with wallpaper ideas if you’ve never used wallpaper in the home before. 

Statement wallpaper will always work wonders in transforming a simple room into a more elegant space bursting with character, color and eye-catching visual interest.

Ariel Okin

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Interior Design & Founder of Ariel Okin Interior Design

Ariel Okin is the founder of her eponymous firm, Ariel Okin Interiors, a New York based, full-service interior design firm founded in 2006 specializing in luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across the country.

6. Incorporate a magnificent mirror

(Image credit: Samantha Todhunter Design/Jonathan Bond Photography)

What’s a bathroom without a mirror? After your sink and your toilet, your bathroom mirror ideas are going to have the next biggest impact in the small room.

Decorating with mirrors not only provides a place for you to check your reflection, but it can also help to make a room feel bigger and brighter and can introduce stylish decoration for powder room wall decor.

Madison Popper, founder of Chill Casa says, ‘the biggest statement I see in powder rooms are the vanities, lighting and especially wall mirrors. Utilizing a large or unique wall mirror design can drastically change the vibe and feel of the small room. Not only will a mirror visually stick out to you the most, but it will also help to define the room and can add the perfect finishing touch to the overall room design.’

Madison Popper

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Interior Designer & Founder of Chill Casa Home

Based in Miami Beach, Florida, Madison Popper is the founder of Chill Casa Home, a leading interior design studio focusing on luxury residential design.

7. From artwork to hardware, don’t forget the decorative details

(Image credit: Liz Caan/Eric Roth)

The final flourish of decorative accessories and ornaments, such as artwork, plants and vases, and design details such as stylish hardware and fixtures and fittings, are often the small touches that can tie a whole scheme together – and they will make the powder room feel more personal, unique and more than just a small bathroom.

Interior designer Artem Kropovinsky says, ‘accessories can significantly elevate the ambiance of a powder room. Using high-quality towels, stylish soap dispensers, or an artistic mirror can infuse a sense of luxury and lavishness. Remember, less is more; try to avoid clutter and carefully choose items that add value to the overall design.’

Our powder room product picks

A frosted orb and gold leaf finish offer a touch of brilliance to the graceful lines of this sconce. The damp-rated design is perfect for layering light in a glamorous bathroom or powder room.

Undulating lines bring a warming, whimsical touch to this versatile piece, perfect for establishing an eye-catching focal point and design feature in a powder room.

Blue Dried Echinops Globe Thistles

Harvested by hand on a small, sustainable flower farm in Washington, these natural, dried globe thistles bring the feeling of nature into any home

FAQs

How can you make a small powder room look bigger?

As well as exploring how to make a small powder room look expensive, many of us would also like to know how to make these bijou bathrooms look bigger. 

Embracing lighter, more neutral color palettes can often work to make small spaces feel more fresh, open and bright, but that doesn’t mean you should always shy away from color. 

Choosing a more dramatic, colorful design can actually work to distract the eye from the size of a space, so no matter your style, both light and dark schemes can help to alter the perception of the size of a small powder room. 

Remember to choose your plumbing and furniture wisely, you don’t want to take up valuable space with oversized, awkward fixtures and furniture. Choose pieces that can fit snugly into the room and complement the wider proportions of the space. 

Also, be considered when it comes to your decoration and accessories – ensure the small space doesn’t become overwhelmed with unnecessary clutter, as this will only serve to make the space feel small and claustrophobic.

For further insight, we explore how to make a small room look bigger in our dedicated feature.

‘The key to luxurious design lies in intentional minimalism. For a powder room to look expensive, every item must serve a purpose and evoke sophistication. This does not mean every item must be pricey, rather, it’s about curating a feeling of richness through thoughtful selection,’ says interior designer, Artem Kropovinsky.

A powder room should never be underestimated. These small spaces provide a creative canvas for a whole host of decorating ideas, and by making even the smallest rooms look and feel more expensive and luxurious, you can help to set an overall tone of luxury throughout your whole home.

The post How can I make my powder room look costly? | appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

August 7, 2023 9:45 AM | 3 min read

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Bay Area, CA – ASL Remodeling, the premier home remodeler serving the Greater Bay Area, announced it has completed over 400 exceptional room additions for Northern California homes over the past 15 years. Led by owner Yoni Asulin, ASL’s experts handle room additions from permitting to finish while minimizing disruption and maximizing luxury.

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Whether building a master suite, media room, home gym or office, ASL Remodeling tailors each addition to the client’s needs and the home’s architecture. Their team handles design, demolition, construction, finishes and furnishings to create truly custom additions.

“A room addition is one of the best ways to add living space, functionality and value to your home,” said Asulin. “Our goal is to make the addition feel like it was part of the original home through cohesive design and craftsmanship.”

ASL Remodeling’s room addition services include:

• Architecture and Permitting – Floor plan design and permitting assistance.
• Construction – Foundations, framing, roofing, insulation and drywall.
• Plumbing and Electrical – Bathrooms, lighting, outlets and switches.
• Custom Finishes – Cabinetry, countertops, flooring and trims.
• Furnishings – Help outfitting the new space.
• Project Management – Handling all details and communication.

• In addition to traditional room additions, ASL Remodeling has become a top choice for designing and building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) throughout the Bay Area. As housing costs continue to rise, ADUs provide a flexible, affordable housing option for homeowners to accommodate multi-generational families, guests, and rental income potential.

  ASL’s ADU services include:

  • ADU Floor Plan Design – Optimizing size and layout based on needs, budget and property constraints.
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  • Full ADU Construction – Handling all framing, roofing, utilities, finishes and fixtures.
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  Whether building a new detached ADU or converting existing space like a garage into an ADU, ASL Remodeling leverages years of expertise to deliver exceptional accessory dwellings. Contact ASL Remodeling to discuss an ADU project for your Bay Area property today.

ASL Remodeling has vast expertise with master suites, media rooms, offices, guest suites, gyms, game rooms and more. Get a free quote for your Bay Area room addition by calling 408-753-0012 or visit https://aslremodeling.com

About ASL Remodeling

Based in Los Gatos, CA, ASL Remodeling provides premier home remodeling services across the Greater Bay Area from San Francisco to San Jose. Founded in 2013 by Yoni Asulin, ASL combines innovative design, quality craftsmanship and superior project management. They hold California contractors license #1060310 and maintain.

Media Contact
Company Name: ASL Remodeling Construction Company in the Bay Area
Contact Person: Yoni Asulin
Email: Send Email
Phone: 408-753-0012
Address:20s Santa Cruz Ave, Suit 300
City: Los Gatos
State: CA 95030
Country: United States
Website: https://aslremodeling.com/

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To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: ASL Remodeling: Crafting Custom Room Additions Throughout the Bay Area

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The Tesla Model S. Photo: Tesla.

The word “automobile” entered the English lexicon in the late 18th century from French, a combination of the Ancient Greek autós (αὐτός) meaning “self” and the Latin mobilis meaning “mobile”. Originally, the word referred to the transition from artificial vehicles that no longer relied on external energy sources such as horses, but instead were powered by their own engines. Now it seems ironic that the word itself heralded the advent of truly “self-driving” vehicles.

Self-driving vehicles are fast becoming a reality in the automotive industry today. To be considered fully autonomous, a self-driving vehicle must both specify a path from point A to B and be able to navigate the route safely on its own and without human intervention. Currently, this ongoing work relies on a combination of sensors reading the external environment (e.g. cameras, radar, lidar, etc.) and artificial intelligence (AI) to understand the feedback.

The companies developing self-driving cars range from Audi to Google, although Google’s Waymo has already launched its own fully autonomous commercial ridesharing service, Waymo One, in partnership with Lyft. The service is currently being tested but is currently available in the US cities of Phoenix, San Francisco and soon Los Angeles.

Steve Mahan, former director of the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, stands next to a Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco on Tuesday. Photo: Eric Risberg/ Associated Press.

The technology race for self-driving cars is in line with the rise of Web3 and Big Data, where data is not only decentralized, but also leveraged for machine learning and AI – digitizing manual processes into automatic processes and beyond that obscuring layers and layers of hardware to smooth, clean interfaces that seamlessly operate a variety of software programs at the touch of a finger.

Self-driving cars are nothing short of an engineering marvel, but at the same time they challenge the definition of what constitutes a good car. Sustainability, road safety and comfort are aspects of automotive engineering in which all car manufacturers want to excel. But the omission of the driver himself seems to turn the car into a whole different beast. So maybe in the world of luxury cars we shouldn’t be asking what makes a good car, but what makes a loved car.

Sean Connery with the Aston Martin DB5 at Stoke Poges while filming Goldfinger, 1964.
Photo: United Artists, Danjaq LLC.

The driver makes the car

Call it what you will: an effective marketing model or consumer-focused branding; Cars are defined by the people who drive them. It can be a bit of a chicken-and-egg puzzle trying to figure out which came first: the discursive image of the ideal car owner, or the loyal car lovers themselves. Regardless, the relationship between cars and the people who love, own, or hope to own them is different , an intimate relationship – a relationship based on the sheer euphoric act of driving.

Video: Aston Martin.

For proof, look no further than the most famous car in history: James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. The DB5 has captured the hearts of many car enthusiasts since its debut in 1963, not least because of its agent 007 at the wheel, but also because of the importance of driving it. Between chasing bad guys down winding cobblestone streets and cruising silently from one city to another in the middle of the night like international spies do, the films only show what the car was built for: working like a beast.

Daniel Craig’s Bond maneuvers an aggressive turn in the DB5 in No Time To Die, 2021. Photo: Danjaq LLC, Universal, MGM.

One of the fastest cars in the world at the time, the DB5 featured a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre in-line six producing 282 hp and 380 Nm. All power was sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Cornering with the DB5 is just a step away from hardcore, although on such vehicles the heavier the steering, the less effort required mid-corner. However, the engine more than makes up for this with its smooth, graceful handling at tremendous speeds, living up to the DB5’s grand tourer status. Even modern GTs with their sophisticated suspension geometry and adaptive damping would hardly be able to keep up with this senior in terms of driving comfort.

Sean Connery’s Bond cruises the countryside in the DB5 in Thunderball, 1965. Photo: United Artists, Danjaq LLC.

At the wheel of the car is a more than well-tuned, comfortable leather seat that offers the driver additional visibility, as well as a generously dimensioned, tactile wooden steering wheel paired with a pleasantly delicate gear knob, which ensure your driving pleasure. It’s also known that the pedals are so flimsy that the rider feels awkward in everyday sneakers, almost as if they’re asking you to put on a pair of shiny oxfords. The wind noise over the front fenders due to the lack of soundproofing is downright pleasing and reminds the driver that they are already really accelerating.

Inside a preserved DB5 from the 1960s. Photo: Car, UK.

The dainty shift knob of the original DB5. Photo: Car, UK.

The DB5 was discontinued in 1965 but received a special limited edition of 25 examples in 2020 to coincide with the release of the final Daniel Craig Bond film No Time To Die – a testament not only to its firm place in automotive history as an agent 007 car, but also out of a love for cars that were meant to be learned, almost fought for and ultimately driven masterfully. The 2020 DB5 costs a whopping $3.6 million. Could a switch to self-driving cars be endured when a name as iconic as the DB5 is at the heart of the luxury car? Without James Bond to ably take the wheel, the iconic DB5 seems to lose a large part of what makes it so popular.

The sequel to the 2020 Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger. Photo: Aston Martin

Disruption of the automotive industry

Perhaps it is this lack of identity that defines the self-driving car. After all, autonomous vehicles are not made to be driven – they were created to serve social purposes. In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 94% of major accidents are due to human error, including intoxication or negligence. Self-driving cars are said to be an answer to the inherent problem of human effort – the risk of failure due to exhaustion. In addition to the goal of increasing road safety, the autonomous vehicle industry also promises to help reduce the carbon footprint through greater fuel efficiency and self-driving carsharing.

A Waymo One car avoids a fatal crash involving a scooter. Photo: Twitter @tsimonite

Autonomous trucks are being tested in the US and Europe in hopes of improving long-distance truck drivers’ safety and job quality, while Beijing, China is in the process of deploying autonomous street sweepers around the city. These projects are disrupting the automotive industry by fundamentally changing the way cars are engineered. In this sense, cars are not made for the driver, but are designed to compensate for the driver’s inherent limitations.

Autonomous urban maintenance vehicles developed by Chinese internet search giant Baidu Inc. sweep streets in Shunyi District, Beijing, September 2018. Photo by Yuan Yi/ China Daily

Nevertheless, fully autonomous cars are far from finished, there are countless reports of errors and accidents. The technology is growing, but very slowly. The problem of growth and scaling in the industry is perhaps most clearly illustrated by Elon Musk’s Tesla in 2021, when he first announced that he would have “over a million full-car Tesla cars on the road.” , was lost -drive hardware”. Tesla stock could see a rebound this summer, but it can only be described as “volatile” and “risky.” The price hit a 52-week low of just over $100 per share back in January and was up more than 130% in June. Musk has struggled with supply chain disruptions since 2021 and is keen to cut costs to improve its margins and produce a more marketable and affordable self-driving car.

Musk at Tesla’s 2021 AGM. Photo: Youtube @tesla

His crosshairs landed on radar technology, a core component of the autonomous vehicle’s ability to detect hazards at a distance. Without radar, Teslas would be prone to basic perception errors and worse, accidents and collisions. In the past two years, reports have mounted of Teslas misreading road signs, braking aggressively from high speeds because of imaginary hazards, and even having fatal accidents. The rush to scale and cut costs might be typical of any tech startup, but it’s almost at odds with the spirit of the luxury car.

Luxury is consistency

What remains of the luxury car figure after all the innovation and design has passed? The truth is that a true luxury car represents the unattainable. Multi-million dollar prices notwithstanding, the top cars in the luxury car world are as rare as fine jewels. They inspire driving pleasure, not so much for the luxurious driving experience, but because most people can only dream of driving one.

Hong Kong star Aaron Kwok admires his private collection of luxury cars. Photo by : Prestige

Self-driving and luxury cars seem to have one thing in common: they are both not designed to be driven. The former disrupts what a car is by removing the driver and aiming to perform as many human functions as possible – a rush for innovation and creativity. However, the latter focuses on refining a car by emphasizing an individual driver’s experience, striving for perfection and being so coveted that it becomes rare and only seen on the road when its lucky owner decides decides to take it for a spin. Therein lies the euphoria of driving a luxury car and sitting in a seat that everyone has always loved.

For more car stories click here.

The post Is There Room for Self-driving Automobiles in Luxurious Motoring?  appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Walking away San Francisco style

One of the largest hotels in the US — the 1,921-room Hilton Union Sq in SF — has been forfeited from owner to lender.

The lender was First Republic. Now Chase. The loan amount was approximately $260,000 per room. Can you build a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom in San Francisco for less?

dormitories? Supportive Living? https://t.co/i1Rid03Flt

— Zach Klein (@zachklein) June 5, 2023

leave ship

Please note that the owner of SF’s largest hotel, the Hilton Union Square, is walking away and leaving it to the lender

Virginia-based REIT Park Hotels & Resorts has decided to stop making payments on a $725 million loan, the SF Business Times reports today, essentially ceding over 2,900 hotel rooms and hotel facilities to its lender. These include the 1,921-room Hilton San Francisco Union Square, which is San Francisco’s largest hotel to occupy an entire city block and one of the largest hotels in the country outside of Las Vegas.

Park Hotels & Resorts is also foregoing the 1,024-room Parc 55, citing the ongoing debt burden of the two hotels in its portfolio and several factors that have made the SF market less attractive to their company.

“After much thought and deliberation, we believe it is in the best interest of Park shareholders to materially reduce our current exposure to the San Francisco market,” said Thomas J. Baltimore, CEO of Park Hotels, in a statement. “We believe more than ever that San Francisco’s path to recovery will continue to be marred and prolonged by major challenges, both old and new: record-breaking office vacancies; concerns about road conditions; lower return to office than comparison cities; and a weaker than expected citywide convention calendar through 2027, which will negatively impact business and leisure demand.”

The two hotels were valued at $1.56 billion in total for the current loan, as estimated in 2016. So it’s a significant move that Park Hotels would deleverage less than half that amount – and as one analyst told the Business Times, “It says they’re not optimistic about the business of corporate travel or conventions and… conventions.” Return soon to downtown San Francisco.

Away from 50% equity?!

Not really. This means that the estimated value is bullsheet.

Q: And if the appraised value of one of the largest hotels outside of Las Vegas is Bullsheet, what does that say about the value of any building in downtown San Francisco?
A: It’s all bullsheet

Property tax questions and answers

Q: What are San Francisco property taxes?
A: Secured property taxes are calculated based on the property’s appraised value, which is determined annually by the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. The secured property tax rate for fiscal year 2022-23 is 1.17973782%.

I don’t know how the Union Square building or the 1,024-room Parc 55 building rated.

But I’m willing to surmise that the whole damn town is valued at values ​​no one in their right mind would pay.

Other examples

Q: Mish, do you have any other examples of such a claim?
A: Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t have asked.

Second San Francisco Office Tower is selling for 70% off the original list price

Wolf Richter just reported today that the second San Francisco office tower is selling for 70% off the original list price

For the past two years, the burning question has been what these largely vacant older office towers in San Francisco are worth.

The market was frozen. There were no transactions because no one knew what anything was worth as, in just a few short years, the San Francisco office market has gone from being one of the trendiest office markets in the US with a 7% vacancy rate in 2019 and some of the highest rents in the USA to closure through home office. About 33% of all office space is currently available for rent – worse than Houston, which was the worst office market in the US for years.

So now there’s the second deal in about a month – although the sale isn’t over yet. Wells Fargo found a buyer for one of its San Francisco office towers, the 13-story, 32,000-square-foot 1960s tower at 550 California, across the street from and around the corner from the headquarters tower in Montgomery.

Wells Fargo bought the tower in 2005 for $108 million. The building is cleared. Last year, the company was listed for $160 million, but was subsequently delisted after it reportedly received bids under $40 million. Earlier this year, the company hired real estate investment bank Eastdil Secured to relist the tower.

The company has now closed a deal for about $42.6 million to $46 million ($120 to $130 per square foot), according to sources cited by the San Francisco Business Times — the name of the buyer was not disclosed. That would be 71% below the original asking price and almost 60% below the purchase price in 2005.

reassessments required

Every San Francisco homeowner should push for a property tax adjustment.

And guess what will happen to the city if there are honest assessments.

The San Francisco Board of Directors unanimously approves reparations of $5 million per person

In case you forgot (or didn’t know), please note that the San Francisco Board of Directors unanimously supports compensatory payments of $5 million per person

People who never owned slaves would make payments to people who never were slaves in a state that never had slaves.

Stanford University’s Hoover Institution calculated that the proposal would cost non-black families in the city at least $600,000.

Get lost.

This post originated on MishTalk.Com.

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The post The 1,921 Room Hilton Union Sq. Lodge in San Francisco Was Simply Deserted appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Today, following a three-year hiatus, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York is back—and this year’s 22 participating designers and architects have contrived five floors of compelling interiors that were well worth the wait. 

Through June 6, the historic River Mansion, a beaux arts town house overlooking Riverside Park and the Hudson River on the Upper West Side, will be open to the public to tour some 10,000 square feet of newly reimagined interiors. Inside, design pros share the creative musings and experimental ideas exciting them right now—from a shell grotto-esque retreat to a rococo candyland. It’s all in an effort to raise funds for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and its enrichment programs, for which the show house has raised more than $28 million to date.

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The New Taste: Join AD Experts at the Kitchen Workshop

The Robert D. Kohn–designed River Mansion is no stranger to AD. The town house (lensed by Peter Vitale) was featured in the magazine’s November 1987 issue following a renovation by interior designer David Laurence that involved establishing the central staircase and opening walls to create more free-flowing rooms, among other modern upgrades. While the residence has evolved since glossing the pages of AD, there’s one point in the story that still holds true: “The house sits on what must be one of the most agreeable sites on the entire island…. Not twenty yards away, a leafy park flourishes from spring through fall,” wrote Michael M. Thomas. As of last week, the property is available for sale through Douglas Elliman, ready for its next chapter.

And a good-looking one at that. Below, see every room inside the 48th edition of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House New York (337 Riverside Drive at West 106th Street), made possible by 2023 sponsors Benjamin Moore, Calico Wallpaper, Cosentino, Dea Luxury Linens, Dedar, JennAir, Kohler, Kravet, Marc Phillips, Morgan Stanley, Morris & Co., New York Design Center, Peacock Alley, Sanderson, Soane Britain, Susan’s Jewelry, the Rug Company, and the Shade Store.

Nickolas Sargent

Landscaping by Janice Parker Landscape Architects

Nickolas Sargent

Landscaping by Janice Parker Landscape Architects

Landscaping by Janice Parker Landscape Architects

Not wanting to distract from the beaux arts mansion’s richly detailed redbrick and limestone façade, landscape architect Janice Parker prioritized symmetry in her plantings. Pleached Linden trees frame the entry, while ivy billows from angular concrete containers.  

Nickolas Sargent

Foyer and Main Stair Hall by Yellow House Architects

Foyer and Main Stair Hall by Yellow House Architects

With Julia Marlowe—the early-1900s Shakespearean actress and the River Mansion’s first occupant—as their muse, Yellow House Architects indulged in grand and theatrical gestures in the home’s foyer. Let us count the ways: Warped glass paneling by Atelier Barrois and the sculptural chandelier by Nacho Carbonell rouse in the shadowy entry, while a squiggly-lined white plaster treatment offers a quiet contrast as it leads to the second floor of the home.

Nickolas Sargent

Parlor by David Scott Interiors

Parlor by David Scott Interiors

David Scott Interiors is known for eloquently assembling top-tier art and design within distinguished—though never dull—architecture, and the studio’s parlor is right on cue. Neutrally toned Pierre Frey fabrics lay a calming canvas for collectible design to shine, including the pièce de résistance: the Jean Marie Fiori–designed patinated bronze chimney, sourced through Twenty First Gallery.

Nickolas Sargent

Sitting room by Penny Drue Baird, Dessins LLC

Sitting room by Penny Drue Baird, Dessins LLC

Hushed in tone, designer Penny Drue Baird’s sitting room speaks volumes in tactility. That’s thanks in large part to the velvet wall covering—the Boudoir pattern by Elitis—whose linear forms reflect in the plush rug by Sacco Carpet. Apparatus fixtures finished in a brushed brass warm the interior, while antiques from Bernd Goeckler and Carlos de la Puente furnish the space.

Nickolas Sargent

Den by Halden Interiors

Den by Halden Interiors

Befitting for her nature inspirations, designer Kesha Franklin worked from the ground up in the “Heart of the Vine” den, custom designing an abstract leaf floor covering with the Rug Company. Its hunter green, chartreuse, and crisp white palette travels throughout the space, namely in the Shade Store window treatments, which feature Gaston y Daniela fabric by Kravet, and in the Murano glass Italian Lotus chandelier courtesy of Cosulich Interiors & Antiques.  

Nickolas Sargent

Parlor by Ghislaine Viñas

Parlor by Ghislaine Viñas

Wanting to create space as intriguing as the Hudson River view beyond the parlor’s grand windows, designer Ghislaine Viñas called upon her network of artisans: Mark Mulroney crafted the felted murals that layer atop a custom wallpaper from Wolf Gordon, while curtain fabric by Dedar,  lighting by RBW, a custom scalloped coffee table fabricated by Brooklyn Millwork, and various pieces from The Future Perfect enliven the interior.

Nickolas Sargent

Family room by Timothy Corrigan, Inc.

Family room by Timothy Corrigan, Inc.

No detail went unnoticed in the family room, where Timothy Corrigan began by defining the interior’s original millwork with tonal coats of green, namely Benjamin Moore’s Lily Pad and Stolen Moments. From there, the Spring Fever wallpaper by Timothy Corrigan for Fromental, with its Flemish-inspired botanicals hand-painted atop a perfectly sheened silver ground, established the dialogue for the rest of the interior—from insect-adorned pillow trim by Samuel and Sons to plaster leaf sculptures by Stephen Antonson and even the custom serpent medallion slithering from the David Duncan Studio chandelier.

Nickolas Sargent

Powder bath by Lindsey Coral Harper Interior Design

Powder bath by Lindsey Coral Harper Interior Design

In the second-floor powder bath, designer Lindsey Coral Harper pulled her warm color palette from the interior’s original stone flooring. Coastal inspirations were calling—perhaps, in part, due to her soon-to-open shop in seaside Stonington Borough, Connecticut—and the designer answered with works by fellow coastal creatives, namely a shell-covered stool by Quarto Design, rattan seating by Varnish Collective, and papier-mâché art from Palm Beach favorite Casa Gusto.

Nickolas Sargent

Staircase by Halden Interiors

Staircase by Halden Interiors

The custom rug continues up the third-floor staircase, which Franklin beautifully envelops in a hand-painted mural by artist Judith Sipos of Nono Art. The treatment plays off of the floral field in the background of a striking photograph by South African photographer Pieter Hugo, which almost becomes one with the room. Pendants by designer Feyza Kemahlioglu for Wexler Gallery flank the artwork.

Nickolas Sargent

Drawing room by Neal Beckstedt Studio

Drawing room by Neal Beckstedt Studio

Reimagining the home’s wine room into an artist’s studio, Neal Beckstedt “envisioned the glass-enclosed room as an architect’s private drawing room—a space for solitude and relaxation through creativity,” shares the designer. A custom stone patterned floor designed with Artistic Tile grounds the room’s hewed, timeworn demeanor. The nook comes complete with Swedish antiques from Deinst + Dotter and a fabric striped wall covering by Chelsea Textiles.

Nickolas Sargent

Library by JayJeffers, Inc.

Library by JayJeffers, Inc.

With studio locations in San Francisco and (as of recently) New York City, designer Jay Jeffers set out to create a culmination of the coastal cities within the library. Coating the walls—and the millwork, bookcases, and even some books too—in a two-tone treatment of rust brown and airy gray plaster paint establishes the sultry surrounding, while artisan works such as the commanding desk by Brooklyn sculptor Aaron Poritz, the desk chair by LA-based Cuff Studio, and the jute and wool rug by Mark Nelson Designs play up the bicoastal narrative.

Nickolas Sargent

Elevator bank by Lillian Wu Studio

Nickolas Sargent

Catering kitchen by Lillian Wu Studio

Elevator bank and Catering kitchen by Lillian Wu Studio

“I wanted to create a pantry space that is beaming with warmth, wilderness, and a sense of wonder,” says designer Lillian Wu, who started by swathing the pantry in Calico’s Wanderlust wallpaper. In the catering kitchen, which is decked out with JennAir appliances, brass details from Rocky Mountain Hardware warms the organic blue cabinetry.

Nickolas Sargent

Lounge by Sawyer | Berson

Lounge by Sawyer | Berson

An essence of “understated luxury” was top of mind for Sawyer | Berson when approaching the third floor’s main room, where a travertine stone fireplace by Lido Stone Works materially contrasts with suede-wrapped wall panels. “We designed the lounge as an elegant pass-through space reminiscent of a glamorous club room in New York City,” says Brian Sawyer. The branch-like bouquet, a paper sculpture made by Sourabh Gupta, mimics the tree-lined street on view through the round window frame.

Nickolas Sargent

Bedroom by Mary McDonald Inc

Bedroom by Mary McDonald Inc

For the past few years, says Mary McDonald, coquillage and “all things grotto” have been objects of her reverie. Now, those musings are full-on manifested in “Lady Borromeo’s Grotto,” her bedroom design that layers upon Schumacher’s boldly beautiful Shell Grotto wallpaper. Antique furnishings, saturated upholstery fabrics by Schumacher, and floor covering by Patterson Flynn play off the aquatic palette. “I love how the sconces and slipcovered wall chairs interplay with [the] intricate patterning of the faux shellwork,” adds McDonald.

Nickolas Sargent

Bathroom by Design Studio 15

Nickolas Sargent

Closet by Design Studio 15

Bathroom and closet by Design Studio 15

The colorful cylinders of Avram Ruso Studio’s traveling chandelier seem to reflect like a disco ball onto the Pinnacle Fete Nero Marble tile from Artistic Tile in Design Studio 15’s chic bathroom. The fun continues in the adjoining closet thanks to a blue ombre runner from the Rug Company, crystal-encrusted lighting by Gaspare Asaro, and a custom Ornare closet, chicly adorned with brass trim.  

Nickolas Sargent

Kitchen by Wesley Moon Inc.

Kitchen by Wesley Moon, Inc.

Wanting the kitchen to feel contemporary while also paying homage to the home’s Edwardian roots, Wesley Moon devised a custom plaster molding in collaboration with Hyde Park Mouldings to create an architectural foundation for the era-spanning heart of the home. He then worked with LaPolla Designs to create the cabinetry’s hand-applied decorative finish, coordinated to the Cosentino countertops and Ann Sacks backsplash. Apparatus lighting, JennAir appliances, and Kohler fixtures equip the space.    

Nickolas Sargent

Laundry room by Fairfax Dorn Projects

Laundry room by Fairfax Dorn Projects

Adorned with passerine birds, the Pompeii wallpaper by Jennifer Shorty was the launch point for Fairfax Dorn Projects’ multitasking laundry room. A sisal carpet from Sacco Carpet, shelving accessories from Aero, window treatments by the Shade Store, and a JennAir washer and dryer round out the interior. 

Nickolas Sargent

Primary bedroom and hallway by Sasha Bikoff Interior Design

Primary bedroom and Hallway by Sasha Bikoff Interior Design

“I knew I wanted to create a clamshell bed, which has always been a dream of mine,” says Sasha Bikoff of her starting point for the primary bedroom. Fabricating a piece that mirrored her imagination? That posed a bit of a challenge. She eventually found her ideal material at fashion world go-to Mood Fabrics in New York’s Garment District and worked with John Pomp to fabricate the inflated bed frame, which shines fabulously against the reflective Cloud wallpaper by Calico, made “in custom rococo candyland colors,” shares Bikoff. A corner nook covered in a hot pink vegan fur rug from Stark (and inspired by the 1968 Bazaar sofa by Superstudio) makes for sultry seating. The carpet and chandelier are Bikoff’s own designs for Rug Art and Versace, respectively, and the bow and tasseled window treatments are fabricated by the Shade Store.

Nickolas Sargent

Bathroom and closet by Sergio Mercado Design

Bathroom and closet by Sergio Mercado Design

If ever there was furnishing or fixture to get across Sergio Mercado’s ethereal inspirations for the bathroom, it’d be Paris-based designer Céline Wright’s Nuage Hanging lighting. Hung in a trio, the paper chandeliers float like clouds over the Kohler tub. Tactile architectural elements backdrop the Silk Georgette stone countertop and mirror by Salvator. Plumbing fixtures by Kohler, and sheer window covering by the Shade Store.

Nickolas Sargent

Sitting room by Clinton Smith Studio

Sitting room by Clinton Smith Studio

“It is a room for respite,” says designer Clinton Smith of the cozy, well-layered space on the show house’s top floor. Once used as a nursery, Smith transforms the intimate space into “the Hideaway,” a shimmering solace wrapped in a celestial Calico wallpaper and layered with cushions upholstered in a gilded mix of Zoffany, Harlequin, Morris & Co., and Sanderson textiles. Opposite the Oly daybed, a pair of Tavish etageres by Holland MacRae displays an array of books and storied artworks.

Nickolas Sargent

Bathroom by Ahmad AbouZanat | PROJECT AZ

Bathroom by Ahmad AbouZanat | PROJECT AZ

When designing the bathroom, Ahmad AbouZanat pulled from the historic home’s façade, color-matching the linear tile from Fireclay Tiles with the exterior’s dark-red brickwork and limestone trim. His favorite part of the Kohler-outfitted interior? “How the space celebrates that there is beauty in less; that a bathroom, a place where you start and end your day, doesn’t need to be overly ornate but rather a blend of simple, luxurious materials,” says AbouZanat.

Rodolfo Martinez

Dressing room by Clive Lonstein Inc.

Dressing room by Clive Lonstein Inc.

When Clive Lonstein was assigned one of the home’s smaller bedrooms, it was only natural that the designer—who’s worked with Tiffany & Co. among other fashion behemoths—decided to reimagine the space into a dressing room. Among the many jewels featured within it is a full-length mirror by ceramic artist Peter Lane, reminiscent of a marquee mirror with its repeated orbs, as well as a sitting nook outfitted in Dedar’s Kiku fabric. Objects from Carpenters Workshop Gallery decorate the space, and an antiqued mirror trim creates a luxe border.

Nickolas Sargent

Dining room by Georgis & Mirgorodsky

Dining room by Georgis & Mirgorodsky

“Our room is inspired by historic interiors of Cairo, Istanbul, and Damascus—places which enjoyed periods of cross-cultural pollination,” shares William T. Georgis of his and Ilya Mirgorodsky’s dining room and lounge. Thebes stools and custom poufs are available for those who don’t reserve a spot on the Georgis & Mirgorodsky-designed Bombola sofa (available through Maison Gerard), which has been upholstered in an acorn-brown shearling from Dualoy Leather.

The post Kips Bay Decorator Present Home New York 2023: See Each Room Contained in the Historic Higher West Facet Mansion appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The rugged coastline with its steep cliffs, wild seas and biting winds welcomes us to Mendocino County, California. The slogan “room to roam” is no exaggeration. Here, social distancing is a way of life. And I’m for it.

Do not get me wrong; Living in the big city has its perks, but we all need to commune with nature for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. The entire county’s population of nearly 100,000 pales in comparison to the nearly one million residents of San Francisco who live a three-hour drive south of the eponymous city of Mendocino (pop. 800). A getaway to this remote northern part of the state rewards those willing to stray off the beaten path (literally, but more on that later) with a collection of charming towns, countless outdoor activities, towering redwood forests, and an underestimated wine region.

Coastal community of Mendocino

When planning the trip, it is important to determine whether a hotel is just a place to relax at the end of the day, or whether it is an experience in itself. A non-stop trek from attraction to attraction calls for a place to sleep, but if you’re looking for tranquility, majestic scenery, and a hectic atmosphere, then the Inn at Newport Ranch is the place for you. The luxurious retreat sits on 2,000 acres of private cattle ranch on sweeping cliffs. If you really want to get away from it all, this resort only accommodates 20 guests and an additional 10 at the owner’s oceanfront home (if available). The only time we saw other guests was at the meal, where we enjoyed dishes prepared with produce from the on-site gardens (think herbs, spices, squat vegetables, potatoes) and locally sourced fish and meat.

The hotel’s property is home to multiple microclimates, from sunny coastal meadows to cool and humid redwood forests, and the best way to experience them all is on a private UTV tour. If you visit us next winter, wrap yourself in the woolen blanket provided by your guide and snuggle up. Flat pastures give way to towering forests, and then it’s up to the top of the ridge, where we caught (at a safe distance) a bobcat sunbathing.

UTV in Mendocino

With a focus on ecotourism and sustainability, the hotel has planted nearly 11,000 redwood seedlings over the past three years and invites guests to plant and name a tree during their stay. Other ways to reconnect with nature include a mushroom picking tour with the in-house mushroom expert, gourmet picnics by the sea, amazing sunset happy hour among the cliffs, horseback riding, whale watching (in spring and fall), and even an oh-so-soothing experience Massage at the resort’s underground, forest-like spa. If you want to take your relaxation to the next level, book the restorative wellness retreat package, which includes a private yoga session, guided hike, forest bath and massage.

Track bikes in Mendocino

If you want to stay just a four minute drive from shops and restaurants, book a room at the Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino. Perched on a hillside overlooking picturesque Smuggler’s Cove, this rustic luxury hotel welcomes guests to its warm, homely Grand Room, complete with a four-sided glass and steel fireplace. Your stay includes daily breakfast and an afternoon wine hour with curated appetizer mendo boxes that really could double as dinner given the amount of food. Our box for two, which we enjoyed outside on the patio, consisted of a beet salad, half a chicken, a potato side and an apple crepe. And we paired it with a local Pinot Noir from Fathers & Daughters.

For a bit of adventure, head to the Skunk Train’s railbikes. Choose between a 2-hour, 7-mile excursion or a longer 4-hour, 25-mile drive into the forest (this tour includes a complimentary picnic lunch). In any case, being athletic shouldn’t be a problem as the electric bikes allow you to choose to cycle as much or as little as you like. When you ride a railway into the forest, you feel a real connection to nature as the wind whips around you and the ancient redwoods tower overhead. This is one of the coolest outdoor experiences I’ve encountered.

TRAVEL ADVICE

GO

Fly from South Florida to Santa Rosa (2 hours drive), San Francisco (3 hours drive) or Sacramento (4 hours drive), rent a car and drive north. If you choose to stay at the Inn at Newport Ranch, ascend by asking the hotel to arrange a helicopter to take you up the coast.

REMAIN

Inn at Newport Ranch

BREWERY GULCH INN
Warm and welcoming, centrally located hotel that makes you feel at home. 9401 CA-1, Mendocino, CA; 800/578-4454; brauereigulchinn.com

Inn at Newport Ranch
Stunning views, luxurious accommodations on a working oceanfront ranch. 31502 CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA; 707/962-4818; theinnatnewportranch.com

FOOD

Bee Hunter tasting room

SMALL RIVER INN RESTAURANT
Romantic gardens with coastal kitchen.
7901 N. Highway 1, Little River, CA; 707/937-5942; littleriverinn.com

MACCALLUM HOUSE
The hotel restaurant serves divine farm-to-table organic dishes. 45020 Albion St., Mendocino, CA; 707/937-0289; maccallumhouse.com

Gulp

BEE HUNTER
Picturesque tasting room serving a variety of red, white and rosé wines. 14251 Highway 128, Boonville, CA; 707/895-3995; beeunderwine.com

A bite at Handley Cellars

HANDLEY CELLAR
Family-run winery that produces fruity wines. 3151 Highway 128, Philo, CA; 707/895-3876; handleycellars.com

Nachlas Roederer
French superstars are now producing sparkling wines across the ocean. 4501 Highway 128, Philo, California; 707/895-2288; roederestate.com

DO

SKUNK TRAIN RAILWAY WHEELS
Cycle through the redwood forest on electric bikes. 707/964-6371; skunktrain.com/railbikes-on-the-noyo

llama feeding
Glendeven Inn & Lodge hosts nightly llama feedings. 8205 N. Highway 1, Little River, CA; 707/937-0083; glendeven.com

DRIVE THRU TREE PARK
Understand how big sequoias can get by driving through one. 67402 Drive Thru Tree Road, Leggett, CA; 707/925-6464; drivethrutree.com

Mendocino

Other activities to consider include the Chandelier Drive-Thru Redwood (1.5 hour drive from Mendocino), where visitors have been driving through one of these majestic trees since 1937. Closer to town, the Glendeven Inn & Lodge hosts daily feedings for its three resident llamas, and if you’re visiting in March, be sure to board a whale-watching boat at Noyo Harbor in Fort Gragg in the hopes of spotting the to catch migrating gray whales.

Another way to experience nature is by sipping on the selection of wines produced in the region. The Mendocino County AVA is home to several sub-appellations, including two of the better-known Anderson Valley and Yorkville. Mendocino is one of the largest wine-producing counties in the state. While it’s famous for its Pinot Noirs and sparkling wines, it also grows Zinfandel, Grenache, Barbera, and Sauvignon Blanc, among others.

A Mendocino winery

Redwood chandelier

Glendeven Inn Llamas

Famed French champagne house Louis Roederer established its Anderson Valley Roederer Estate in 1982, earning a reputation for producing renowned sparkling wine in the region. We also visited Handley Cellars, a winery on a working family farm, just down the road. Started by one of the first women winemakers in the area, Milla Handley, the 30 hectares are now farmed by her daughter Lulu and she produces aromatic, organically grown estate wines ranging from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir.

Further south in Boonville, bee hunter duo Ali Nemo and Andy DuVigneaud pour you Syrahs, Pinot Noirs and Rhone blends. On your way back to Mendocino, take a quick detour to the seaside village of Elk, stop at the general store (famous for its sandwiches) and cross the road to the state park, which is dotted with massive rocks that will make you feel like you it would be I entered The Goonies.

This article is from the March 2023 issue of Boca Magazine. For more of this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.

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